Grosse Pointe Boat Club
2025 BRIDGE AND BOARD
OFFICERS
Veronica Greiner, Commodore
Paul Maiale, Vice Commodore
Teri Davis, Rear Commodore
BOARD MEMBERS
PC Brian Fromm
Dan Currier
Kathy Grabruck
Tom Krall
Christie Wadsworth
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Sheri Allor, Treasurer
Sharon Stellingwerf, Secretary
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Joan Ferguson, Membership Chair
Sheila Tomkowiak, Website Administrator
Tamra Fromm, Website Editor
PAST COMMODORES
1960-61 Dr. Edward R. Stoliker
1962-63 Al Adams
1964 Wilfred Barbret
1965 Robert Drean
1966 Russell Davis, III
1967 Stanley Shanck
1968 Frank Voorwerk
1969 Alvan Turney
1970 Ralph Bower
1971 Francis M. Huxley
1972 Edward Hickey
1973 Dr. Milton Lipson
1974 Ralph Burton
1975 Bruce Reynolds
1976 Dr. Frank McGillen
1977 Eugene O’Brien, Jr.
1978 Clifford Crockford
1979 James Finney
1980 Arthur Behm
1981 Charles L. Howe
1982 Thomas Guthat
1983 Dr. William C. Quinlan, Jr.
1984 Dale N. Scrace
1985 Robert Green
1986 William Twiddy
1987 Charles Witzke
1988 John Henfrey Smith
1989 Philip Allor
1990 Crosby Boyd
1991 Edward L. Harrah
1992 Arthur Kainz
1993 John Onstwedder
1994 Greg Tisdale
1995 Kenneth Munn
1996 Danny Krease
1997 Larry A. Dowers
1998 Thomas C. Van Der Maas
1999 David Hohlfeldt
2000 Bruce Srupp
2001 Ronald J. Borghi
2002 Donald Smolenski
2003 Frank Stellingwerf
2004 Stephen L. Sholty
2005 Jane K. Davies
2006 John Popovich
2007 Sheila Young Tomkowiak
2008 Wayne Onstwedder
2009 James Grenda
2010 Anne Nyboer
2011 Linda Onstwedder
2012 Maj-Britt Black
2013 Phil Gilbert
2014 Chris Greiner
2015 Geoff Boynton
2016 Jason Merkel
2017 Donald Smolenski
2018 George (Buzz) Young
2019 Reggie Beckius
2020 Dale Cox
2021 Leslie Wagner
2022 Elizabeth Natter
2023 Matt Bontomasi
2024 Brian Fromm
Founded in 1959, The Grosse Pointe Boat Club is a boating and social club (sail and power) located in Neff Park in the City of Grosse Pointe. The family-oriented club operates out of a repurposed garage fondly nicknamed The Littlest Club. The club hosts a variety of events including parties at the park and in the Scrace Marina, weekend rendezvous at various points on Lake St. Clair, sailboat races, and an annual Christmas party and Commodore’s Ball. We also offer annual safety inspections for boats in the marina.
THE LATEST NEWS
Sangria Party 2025
Saturday’s soirée was one for the books! Director and first-time host, Christie Wadsworth, along with her co-hosts RC Teri Davis and new member Victoria Grolshagen did a fantastic job throwing together a memorable party on a gorgeous evening. The event struck the perfect balance of casual and chic, as guests mingled, tasted, and toasted with four sangrias (peach, watermelon, traditional red wine, and sassy red wine!) — making the most of a warm evening with great company. From the first pour to the final bite, the evening was filled with laughter, flavor, and sunshine-in-a-glass vibes — all beautifully complemented by Honeybee Market’s stellar catering.
Congratulations to Commodore Veronica for winning the 50/50 raffle!
Thank you to all of our volunteers: Steve Bowler and Kathleen Grabruck, Ken Casey, PC Jane Davies, Veronica Greiner, Lynne Loperfido, Erica Martin, RC Paul and Kelly Maiale, Lee and PC Ann Nyboer, Gary Rowoldt, and Shiloh Wadsworth.
For more photos, click here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCiiYL
Fitting Out Party 2025
Mother Nature just couldn’t make up her mind what weather to send us for the 2025 GPBC season opener – the Fitting Out Party. Hosted by PC Jane Davies, Betsy and PC Dave Hohlfeldt and PC’s Linda and Wayne Onstwedder, we had wind, chilly, temps, light rain, and only occasionally sunshine. However, the 67 GPBC members (including 15 PCs from 1984 through 2024) who attended were easy-going and flexible and did not let uncertainty stand in the way of a great party!
Members were treated to a tray of ‘Lake Sunset Breeze’ cocktails, together with libations from the Tiki Bar and kegerator tap. PC’s Wayne & Linda Onstwedder, and Dave Hohlfeldt prepared grilled chicken breasts, corned beef, a medley of potatoes and carrots, rice and broccoli cheese casserole, Ceasar salad, and sausages and kraut.
Thank you to Geri Haselmire and PCx2 Don Smolenski who genially encouraged 50/50 Ticket buyers. PC Dan Krease pocketed $93 with the winning ticket. VC Paul Maiale stepped in for Cmdr. Veronica Greiner (who was under the weather) to welcome guests, keep the gathering rolling smoothly and up-to-date on future GPBC calendar activities. Thanks to PC Buzz Young for taking photos and much appreciation to all the folks who helped set up and clean up: Jaclyn & Ross Riley, Kathy and Mike Long, PC Brian Fromm, Henry Webb, Erik Hagelthorn, Dir. Kathy Grabruck & Steve Bowler, Nancy Addison, Ken, Marty & Laura Casey, Lynn & Bernie Loperfido, Maxine & Lou Hartman, RC Teri Davis, and Jorge Bonafide.
For more photos, click here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCeDT2
~ PC Jane Davies
The Clubhouse Gets a Facelift!
Phase II, scraping and prepping, was completed in less than two hours on Saturday, May 3. An intrepid crew that included PC Tom VanDerMaas, Joel Stone, Professor Jay Kaiser, Dave Fries, new members Henry Webb and Keller Wilson, Commodore Veronica and PC Buzz now have the old girl ready for Phase III – painting. A big thank you to all the volunteers who spent 60-90 minutes scraping the clubhouse to prep for some much-needed fresh paint. The importance of volunteering cannot be overstated; it’s central to the success of our club and its facility.
We look forward to seeing everyone at The Littlest Club soon!
Ladies Tea 2025
A tea-riffic gathering of GPBC ladies at The Pink House Tea Room! It was a great way to get to know some newer members and nosh with old friends. Hot tea, scones and brunch were top-notch. Thank you to Karen Grobbel for arranging the event!
(Left to right) Kelly Maiale, VC Teri Davis, host Karen Grobbel, Ceci Chmielewski, Heidi Much, Nora Utley, and new member Kristen Milio. (Photo courtesy of Cmdre. Veronica Greiner)
Featherbowling @ Cadieux Cafe 2025
Over 35 GPBC members gathered for dinner and our annual round of featherbowling at the Cadieux Cafe! As the photo attests, the ‘point’ is to throw a wooden ball down a dirt trough and aim for a landing closest to a feather, while blocking the opposing team’s attempts.
Thanks to PC Brian and Tamra Fromm and Ron and Kristin Milio for hosting and PC Buzz Young and RC Teri Davis for taking wonderful photos of the evening. A great way to kick (or roll) off the season!
2025 Bridge & Board
Introducing the 2025 Grosse Pointe Boat Club Bridge and Board of Directors. Pictured at their April meeting at Neff Park, they have been busy planning an exciting season of events with special emphasis on fun and friendship.
(Left to right) Director Kathy Grabruck, Treasurer Sheri Allor, Rear Commodore Teri Davis, Director Christie Wadsworth, Vice Commodore and Joker in Chief Paul Maiale, Commodore Veronica Greiner, PC Brian Fromm, Secretary Sharon Stellingwerf, Membership Chair Joan Ferguson, Website Editor Tamra Fromm, Director Dan Currier. NOT PICTURED: Director Tom Krall (having a baby) and PC Buzz Young (behind the camera).
Commodore’s Ball 2025
Bayview Yacht Club was the site of the GPBC 2025 Commodore’s Ball. And what a site it was! Sixty-six people came to celebrate PC Brian Fromm and the terrific job he did at the helm in 2024. We had two big, beautiful rooms. One was for cocktail mingling and enjoying each others’ company, featuring our own bar and staff. There was also a continuously running slide show of vintage club photos, many going back decades. The other room was for dining on an absolutely delicious meal and conducting the annual membership business meeting where the proverbial torch of club leadership was passed. The program included a poetry reading by our own laureate, PCX2 Don Smolenski, and a rousing sendoff song to Brian from all PCs in attendance. RC Paul made a special Corinthian Yachtsman award presentation to PC Buzz Young, who has moved off the Board of Directors after over 10 years and is now the club Communications Chair. Finally, thanks for what little setup assistance was necessary – since the Bayview staff does such a tremendous job – go to Sheila, Buzz, Sheri and Brian. And special thanks to the Thrift Shop Cowboys for musical entertainment.
It was a fabulous evening that went off without a hitch, harkening an equally fabulous season of boat club events in ’25.
For more photos, click here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC3Em9
Game Night 2025
Thirty-one GPBC members gathered on a cold January Saturday at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church for classic (Rummikub was popular!) and new games (like Uzzle!), yummy snacks, and the warmth of everyone’s company. Thank you to Karen & Chris Grobbel for creating the event back in 2024 and organizing again this year!
Here is a link to more photos https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC186L.
Winterfest 2025
A sunny success! The GPBC supported the City’s Winterfest and dished out gooey s’mores to countless kiddies. Tip of the commodore’s cap to all our volunteers: Karen Biolchino, Pam Berry & Al Gargano, Director Teri Davis & Gary Rowoldt, Jen DeWard & PC Matt Bontomasi, Kathy Long, PC Liz Natter, Christie & Shiloh Wadsworth, and PC Buzz Young.
